The United Kingdom has seen a notable 20% decline in long-term net immigration, according to provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number of immigrants decreased from 906,000 in the year ending June 2023 to 728,000 by June 2024. Among non-EU migrants, Indian nationals represented the largest group, with 240,000 long-term arrivals, showing significant participation in both work and study visa categories.
UK Immigration Declines by 20%, with Indians Leading Study and Work Visa Categories
Despite the recent reduction in immigration figures, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed dissatisfaction with last year’s statistics, vowing to enforce stricter immigration policies. He attributed the high number of arrivals to the previous Conservative government’s policies, describing their approach as an “open borders experiment” that culminated in an “incredible legacy failure.”
“Time and again, the Conservative Party promised to reduce the numbers. Time and again, they failed. This isn’t just bad luck or a global trend—it’s a failure of an entirely different scale. This was deliberate, not accidental,” Starmer remarked.
In response, former Conservative ministers defended their track record, citing the recent 20% reduction in migration as proof of their efforts. However, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates that while net migration has decreased, the scale of the previous year’s figures remains a cause for significant concern.
The latest ONS report highlights the continued dominance of Indian nationals in non-EU migration to the UK, leading in both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) visa categories. The UK remains a popular destination for Indian students, particularly those pursuing postgraduate studies, with 81% of Indian visa holders enrolled in master’s degree programmes. This trend has been further supported by the Graduate Route visa, introduced in 2021, which allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing their studies.
The report also noted variations in departure rates among different nationalities. Indian, Nigerian, and Zimbabwean migrants were found to have lower rates of early departures compared to other groups, such as Chinese students, who exhibit higher rates of leaving before completing a year.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has pledged to address the underlying factors driving high immigration levels, while avoiding the imposition of arbitrary caps. Starmer underscored the need for significant reductions in immigration and a stricter approach to employers violating visa regulations.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, announced plans for harsher penalties for employers who breach visa rules. She stated, “We committed in our manifesto to ensure those who abuse our immigration system face the strongest possible consequences.” Under the new regulations, employers found in violation will face a minimum two-year sanction and be required to cover all costs associated with hiring foreign workers.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman defended the Conservative Party’s record, attributing the recent 20% drop in immigration to policy changes introduced in May 2023. However, opposition leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledged past missteps, stating, “It is right that I accept responsibility and say truthfully we got it wrong.”
Stricter Immigration Controls Ahead
The government’s plans for tighter immigration controls signal a significant shift in policy, aiming to balance the needs of the economy with public concerns over migration levels.
